MIAMI — Questions are swirling over a who’s who of South Florida figures offering to come up with a possible $7 million bond for disgraced former U.S. Rep. David Rivera: Why would Miami-Dade’s supervisor of elections and other prominent officials place their homes, money and reputations on the line for a convicted lawmaker with “ties to Venezuela?”
“These folks must like David Rivera,” Sean Foreman, a political analyst and professor at Barry University, said, saying the group must “find his friendship really worthwhile to put their homes and money on the line.”
Some of the names include Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia, former Florida State Rep. Manuel Prieguez, and Monsignor Wilfredo Pena Moredo, a Catholic priest of 52 years.
David Rivera trial
Former U.S. Rep. David Rivera, R-Florida, was convicted of secretly lobbying for Venezuela’s government.
Former FIU presidents Modesto “Mitch” Maidique and Mark Rosenberg are also among those offering to help Rivera, 60, along with Yvonne Soler McKinley, the former city manager of Doral and South Miami.
“He’s sitting in jail without bond and it looks like his friends are coming to his rescue to put up their money and their homes as collateral so that David Rivera can enjoy some freedom before his ultimate sentencing on July 20, where it does look like he will end up in prison for a long time,” Foreman said.
Foreman calls it “the ultimate loyalty test.”
“David Rivera has been politically prominent in Florida and in South Florida especially for many years. He had a long history in the Florida Legislature, and then he served in Congress, but while he was in the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee, he chaired the budget committee and as chair of the budget committee, you make a lot of friends in high places,” he said. “He was able to help get funding for some very significant projects in South Florida, for which he now has friends that look like they’re willing to pay him back with their own support in a different way now.”
Garcia told the court she is willing to pledge the equity value of her home $400,000 because she believes if the court allows Rivera to post bond, he will show up to sentencing.
Garcia, Foreman said, “worked for David Rivera for many years in Tallahassee, so she’s extremely loyal because she owes her political career to him.”
“I think she would admit the same and that’s probably why she’s standing by his side now,” he said. “I don’t think it’s illegal for an elected official to put up bail money for a friend of theirs, regardless of the situation.”
However, Foreman said, “I do think it doesn’t look good.”
“It’s going to be something she’s going to have to answer to voters to in the future. It might not look ethical, but, really, she is allowed to give her money to support anyone, whether it’s a former politician or not,” he said. “But she should answer some tough questions as to why she would put her own personal money and reputation on the line for somebody who was clearly convicted of the crimes that they were accused of. I think she doesn’t face the voters again until 2028, so she’s got some time.”
Rivera’s defense team is asking the court to set bail pending sentencing and is working to convince a judge that he won’t flee.
The judge ordered U.S. Marshals to take Rivera into custody following the jury’s verdict, deciding he could be a flight risk because of “concerning” ties to Venezuela.
Former Miami-Dade Commissioner and State Rep. Juan Carlos Zapata is also pledging the equity of his home. He told Local 10 News, “I am not a fair-weather friend and at my age, I do not intend on changing that.”
Another backer, attorney Alex Hanna, said in a statement to Local 10 News that he “submitted a personal character letter to the Court based on a longstanding personal and professional relationship with Mr. Rivera spanning many years.”
“The letter speaks for itself,” he said. “I respect the judicial process and do not intend to comment further while sentencing proceedings remain pending.”
The government has until early June to file its response. Rivera’s sentencing is scheduled for July 20.
“If you feel confident enough that the guy is going to show up for his court sentencing, that you’re going to get your money back, then that’s a great friend who’s willing to do so,” Foreman said. “David Rivera was convicted of all counts against him, so it’s not like there’s any real controversy over the charges. He’s going to appeal and he has his right to appeal.”
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